MAKER-LENDER Microfinance Model

The MAKER-LENDER system is GSAP’s unique way to distribute the GSAP Microflush toilets while creating jobs and small businesses in the communities that need them most. This helps provide much-needed sanitation facilities without the permanent dependence on donations and aid.

MAKERs are people who are trained in how to build Microflush toilets and are also trained to slowly grow their business into a sustainable livelihood. LENDERs are people who are trained to create small microlending businesses to provide loans to those who need initial help in buying a toilet.

GSAP and the S-Lab have already trained toilet MAKERs in over 21 countries and have partnered with microfinance organizations or created small LENDER enterprises for household loans to bring this technology to scale. A grant of $500 will enable a new toilet MAKER to have a tool set and build his/her first two household toilets. A facilitated provider grant as little as $1700 can launch a trained woman LENDER in a village to effect a revolving loan fund to solve a community’s sanitation problem while creating a viable enterprise for the LENDER and the MAKER.